travelplus Posted March 1, 2012 #1 Share Posted March 1, 2012 We are arriving San Juan about 9:55 AM on American Airlines to make our cruise on the Serenade of the Seas. My question is what time does the bus start running at? Do we have time for drinks and a bite to eat at the American Lounge before getting our bags and getting on the bus? Or do we need to quickly run to the baggage claim and get the transfer bus? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbluechaircruiser Posted March 1, 2012 #2 Share Posted March 1, 2012 We are arriving San Juan about 9:55 AM on American Airlines to make our cruise on the Serenade of the Seas. My question is what time does the bus start running at? Do we have time for drinks and a bite to eat at the American Lounge before getting our bags and getting on the bus? Or do we need to quickly run to the baggage claim and get the transfer bus? Thanks Hello!! Did you already pay for the bus transfer? We did the Serenade last Feb....arrived at the San Juan airport around 11a and took a cab from there to the port for $20.00. Much cheaper then you would pay for the transfer bus. Arrived right at the door...they took our bags and we were on the ship in less then 15 mins.:D Enjoy the Serenade...she's a beautiful ship!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelplus Posted March 1, 2012 Author #3 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Yes, we paid for the bus. It seems to me they run quite often right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbluechaircruiser Posted March 1, 2012 #4 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Yes, I am pretty sure they do run often!!! Enjoy your cruise!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rancan Posted March 1, 2012 #5 Share Posted March 1, 2012 We also took a cab and it was very quick and easy. We stood in the cab line, it was long but there were lots of cabs and it moved quickly. I have to say they are very aggressive drivers. At least our cab driver was. If you can, I would switch and just take a cab, then you can take your time and catch a cab when you are ready. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo70 Posted March 1, 2012 #6 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Definitely switch to a cab if you can cancel the transfers; a cab will be faster, more comfortable, easier and a lot cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine643 Posted March 1, 2012 #7 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I would highly recommend that you cancel the transfer thru the cruiseline and take the taxi. They will put you on a bus and you will wait until it is full before you leave for the port. Another thing is that your luggage will be put in the back of a box truck and you won't see it again until you get on the ship. I have been on 5 cruises out of San Juan and would not even think about a transfer ever again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wowcruisers Posted March 1, 2012 #8 Share Posted March 1, 2012 If you do take a cab, make sure you negotiate the price BEFORE you get in. We took a cab from the San Juan airport to the cruise port in November, and it was $15, plus a dollar per bag. Our friends who were right behind us (but didn't inquire as to the price beforehand) were asked for $40 plus a dollar per bag from their driver. Argument in Spanish/English ensued and they settled with the driver somewhere in the middle. Just a word of caution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Faith Posted March 1, 2012 #9 Share Posted March 1, 2012 If you do take a cab, make sure you negotiate the price BEFORE you get in. We took a cab from the San Juan airport to the cruise port in November, and it was $15, plus a dollar per bag. Our friends who were right behind us (but didn't inquire as to the price beforehand) were asked for $40 plus a dollar per bag from their driver. Argument in Spanish/English ensued and they settled with the driver somewhere in the middle. Just a word of caution. So sorry your friends had to experience that. Normally at the airport, there's a taxi stand and someone will give you a slip of paper mapping out the cost to various places in San Juan before they lead you to a taxi. In either case, you should do what wowcruisers said and make sure you discuss the price before getting into the taxi. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelblu Posted March 1, 2012 #10 Share Posted March 1, 2012 So sorry your friends had to experience that. Normally at the airport, there's a taxi stand and someone will give you a slip of paper mapping out the cost to various places in San Juan before they lead you to a taxi. In either case, you should do what wowcruisers said and make sure you discuss the price before getting into the taxi. :) They don't give you a slip, but the rates are shown in the luggage area. Different rates to pier as compared to hotels, rainforest etc. This Feb. 5-12, we paid $19 + $1 per bag form the airport to the RCL pier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjb415 Posted March 1, 2012 #11 Share Posted March 1, 2012 We are arriving San Juan about 9:55 AM on American Airlines to make our cruise on the Serenade of the Seas. My question is what time does the bus start running at? Do we have time for drinks and a bite to eat at the American Lounge before getting our bags and getting on the bus? Or do we need to quickly run to the baggage claim and get the transfer bus? Thanks My worry would be about my baggage sitting unclaimed in the baggage claim area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseguy1016 Posted March 1, 2012 #12 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I would highly recommend that you cancel the transfer thru the cruiseline and take the taxi. They will put you on a bus and you will wait until it is full before you leave for the port. Another thing is that your luggage will be put in the back of a box truck and you won't see it again until you get on the ship. I have been on 5 cruises out of San Juan and would not even think about a transfer ever again! My worry would be about my baggage sitting unclaimed in the baggage claim area. We used RCI transfers for our first two cruises because we didn't know better. Both times we picked up our luggage in baggage claim and carried it to the RCI transfer bus. Once at the pier, we unloaded our luggage and gave it to the porters at the pier. Is this not the way it is done any more? OP - I'll re-iterate what others have said. Cancel your transfers with RCI and take a cab. You'll be able to sit in the American lounge as long as you want and then take a taxi to the pier at your leisure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Faith Posted March 1, 2012 #13 Share Posted March 1, 2012 They don't give you a slip, but the rates are shown in the luggage area. Different rates to pier as compared to hotels, rainforest etc. This Feb. 5-12, we paid $19 + $1 per bag form the airport to the RCL pier. I've gotten this each time I've caught a taxi at SJU. I've been there about 4 times in the last 3 yrs. We've normally gotten there during a slow time, either a day or two before a cruise, or during a land vacation, so perhaps they're not given out during busy times. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danp Posted March 1, 2012 #14 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I would switch to the cab.If you take the bus you may sit there till the bus is almost full.With the cab you may wait in a line but will get to the dock faster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjb415 Posted March 1, 2012 #15 Share Posted March 1, 2012 We used RCI transfers for our first two cruises because we didn't know better. Both times we picked up our luggage in baggage claim and carried it to the RCI transfer bus. Once at the pier, we unloaded our luggage and gave it to the porters at the pier. Is this not the way it is done any more? OP - I'll re-iterate what others have said. Cancel your transfers with RCI and take a cab. You'll be able to sit in the American lounge as long as you want and then take a taxi to the pier at your leisure. Again, I wouldn't leave my luggage sitting in the claim area while in the lounge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseguy1016 Posted March 1, 2012 #16 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Again, I wouldn't leave my luggage sitting in the claim area while in the lounge. So take it with you to the lounge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjb415 Posted March 1, 2012 #17 Share Posted March 1, 2012 So take it with you to the lounge. The Admiral's Club is through security in the gate area. It won't be possible to get there with suitcases and without a departing boarding pass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelblu Posted March 1, 2012 #18 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Just curious, what do they cahrge for the transfers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacksheep2 Posted March 1, 2012 #19 Share Posted March 1, 2012 the rates are also posted on the passanger side window in the cab-- Yes get a cab-last time we didn't know better and sat on the bus while it filled then they drop off at a few places so you could be on the bus a while Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheeseheads1 Posted March 3, 2012 #20 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I worried about the transfers too but having done the port transfer thing for a first time.... It will be that last. definitely cheaper and more convenient to do a taxi. There are posted zones. Go for it! Better than being herded like cattle!! Have fun. Wish I was there.....again. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjb415 Posted March 3, 2012 #21 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I've gotten this each time I've caught a taxi at SJU. I've been there about 4 times in the last 3 yrs. We've normally gotten there during a slow time, either a day or two before a cruise, or during a land vacation, so perhaps they're not given out during busy times. :) Today they were not giving out these sheets to every group of passengers has I have had them do in the past. Black and white copies of this sheet were available at the podium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbfanatic Posted March 11, 2012 #22 Share Posted March 11, 2012 We have a group of about 30 coming in the day before sailing on AOS on 2/3/13. Is there any shuttle companies that transport groups? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadams26 Posted March 14, 2012 #23 Share Posted March 14, 2012 My family has 6 in it? Will there be vans or will be have to split up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penaddict Posted March 17, 2012 #24 Share Posted March 17, 2012 If our flight arrives at 3:45 p.m. in SJ and the cruise leaves at 10 p.m. will we make it on time? (in case of delays you never know about) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4bunns Posted March 27, 2012 #25 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Hi, We used Puerto Rico Shuttle Van Service & Tours: www.shuttlevanpr.com There shuttle service was very professional and right on time! We enjoyed there personal service and knowledge of the area. Even when the roads were blocked by a triathalon they found a way through to make sure we were on time for our arrival. This was by far the best shuttle service we ever used anywhere, and will recommend to all of our friends and family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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